Villas-Boas, 34, was confirmed as Spurs' new manager on Tuesday, succeeding Harry Redknapp, who was sacked in June after four years at White Hart Lane.

While the Portuguese achieved a treble of League, Cup and Europa League titles with Porto in 2010-11, he
endured a torrid spell at Chelsea last season and was axed in March after months of speculation that he had lost the dressing-room.

And Hoddle, who became a Spurs icon during his 12 years at White Hart Lane, feels that Villas-Boas' disastrous spell at Stamford Bridge may have shown that he is not ready for Premier League management.

"I'm surprised, I did not think that is the way Spurs would go," Hoddle told ESPN. "It's more than a slight risk because of the way things didn't work out at Chelsea.

"I thought it might have been better for him to go and reinvent himself elsewhere before he had another crack at English football."

Hoddle is still convinced that letting Redknapp go was the wrong decision by Spurs, but believes it is now necessary to back Villas-Boas for the good of the club.

"Hiring Villas-Boas is a decision that maybe shouldn't have needed to be made. They were in a position with Harry where if they just added two or three more players, and spent a bit of money they could have really kicked on.

"It would probably have been better to add to the squad, rather than making a decision that may result in players wanting to leave.

"However, the decision has been made and it's a key moment for Tottenham. Everyone at Spurs has to get behind him and hope that everything goes well."